Chantilly showdown sees Top 20 out in force

Edwina Alexander and Itot du Chateau win in Chantilly 
2011 Global Champions Tour of Chantilly 
Photograph:Stefano Grasso GCT

Current series champion Edwina Tops-Alexander will take on Christian Ahlmann of Germany, France’s leading riders including Kevin Staut and Olympic individual gold medallist Steve Guerdat who are all set to crank up the pressure for ranking points.

Edwina is currently ranked 5th position in the overall points tally and trails US rider Laura Kraut by 38 points. She famously won this event in 2011 with the french gelding Itot du Chateau.

This weekend’s competition is guaranteed to be close with British Olympic team gold medallists Nick Skelton, Ben Maher and Scott Brash, Gerco Schroder and Harrie Smolders from the Netherlands and a hefty turn out from the USA with 10 riders including on form Richard Spooner, current series leader Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden and Kent Farrington all scheduled to compete.

Last year many riders and horses at the Chantilly leg, which was won by Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher, were preparing for the Olympic Games in London adding to the tension.

The world class line up has once again assembled in the quaint French city which is a reflection of the extraordinary high calibre of show jumping on the Tour as the best riders in the world make the series a priority.

The fairytale backdrop of the Chateau de Chantilly and the stunning Royal Stables will once again prove a magnet for spectators. The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix will be broadcast by Eurosport to 59 countries around the world and all the action can be watched live on www.globalchampionstour.com